An apparatus including an electrochemical cell defining an aperture therein, the aperture being configured to receive one or more components of an electronic device therein.
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1. An apparatus comprising:
a display;
a printed wiring board having a camera mounted on the printed wiring board;
a chassis configured to receive the printed wiring board; and
an electrochemical cell defining an aperture therein, the electrochemical cell being positioned between the display and the printed wiring board, the aperture being configured to receive the camera and the electrochemical cell being electrically connected to the printed wiring board.
15. A method comprising:
providing a display;
providing a printed wiring board and mounting a camera on the printed wiring board;
providing a chassis configured to receive the printed wiring board; and
defining an aperture in an electrochemical cell and positioning the electrochemical cell between the display and the printed wiring board, the aperture being configured to receive the camera and the electrochemical cell being electrically connected to the printed wiring board.
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14. A portable electronic device comprising an apparatus as claimed in
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Embodiments of the present invention relate to apparatus for storing electrical energy. In particular, they relate to apparatus for storing electrical energy in portable electronic devices.
Apparatus, such as portable electronic devices, usually include one or more electrochemical cells and a plurality of other components such as, for example, one or more processors, one or more memories, a display, a loudspeaker, a microphone, a transceiver and one or more antennas. The one or more electrochemical cells are configured to provide electrical energy to the other components of the apparatus to enable them to function.
For various portable electronic devices (for example, mobile cellular telephones and tablet computers), consumers usually demand that the device has a relatively low depth. However, consumers usually also demand that the device is able to perform a multitude of functions (for example, internet browsing, music and video playback, camera functionality, telephone functionality) and this may increase the depth of the device due to the addition of further components.
It would therefore be desirable to provide an alternative apparatus.
According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided an apparatus comprising: an electrochemical cell defining an aperture therein, the aperture being configured to receive one or more components of an electronic device therein.
The one or more components may include a camera.
The aperture may be a through hole. Alternatively, the aperture may be a blind hole.
The aperture may be enclosed by the electrochemical cell. Alternatively, the aperture may be open along at least one side edge of the aperture.
The electrochemical cell may include a plurality of electrodes, the aperture may extend through the plurality of electrodes.
The electrochemical cell may comprise a rolled layer, the rolled layer may include the plurality of electrodes. The plurality of electrodes may alternatively have a planar laminate structure.
The apparatus may further comprise a display and a chassis configured to receive a printed wiring board, the electrochemical cell may be positioned between the display and the chassis.
The apparatus may further comprise a cover defining an aperture for a camera, and a printed wiring board, the electrochemical cell may be positioned between the cover and the printed wiring board. The electrochemical cell may be fastened to the printed wiring board via adhesive.
The apparatus may further comprise a first chassis configured to receive a display, and a second chassis, wherein the electrochemical cell and a printed wiring board may be positioned between the first chassis and the second chassis.
The apparatus may further comprise a cover defining an aperture for a camera, a first chassis configured to receive a display, a second chassis configured to receive a printed wiring board, the electrochemical cell may be positioned between the second chassis and the cover and may be fastened to the second chassis via adhesive.
The apparatus may further comprise a first chassis configured to receive a display, a second chassis configured to receive a printed wiring board, the electrochemical cell may be positioned between the first chassis and the second chassis and fastened to the second chassis via an adhesive.
According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided a portable electronic device comprising an apparatus as described in any of the preceding paragraphs.
According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided a method comprising: defining an aperture in an electrochemical cell, the aperture being configured to receive one or more components of an electronic device therein.
The one or more components may include a camera.
The aperture may be a through hole. Alternatively, the aperture may be a blind hole.
The aperture may be enclosed by the electrochemical cell.
The aperture may be open along at least one side edge of the aperture.
The electrochemical cell may include a plurality of electrodes, the aperture may extend through the plurality of electrodes.
The electrochemical cell may comprise a rolled layer, the rolled layer may include the plurality of electrodes. Alternatively, the plurality of electrodes may have a planar laminate structure.
The method may further comprise providing a display and providing a chassis configured to receive a printed wiring board, and positioning the electrochemical cell between the display and the chassis.
The method may further comprise providing a cover defining an aperture for a camera, and providing a printed wiring board, and positioning the electrochemical cell between the cover and the printed wiring board. The method may further comprise fastening the electrochemical cell to the printed wiring board via adhesive.
The method may further comprise providing a first chassis configured to receive a display, providing a second chassis, and positioning the electrochemical cell and a printed wiring board between the first chassis and the second chassis.
The method may further comprise providing a cover defining an aperture for a camera, providing a first chassis configured to receive a display, providing a second chassis configured to receive a printed wiring board, and positioning the electrochemical cell between the second chassis and the cover and fastening the electrochemical cell to the second chassis via adhesive.
The method may further comprise providing a first chassis configured to receive a display, providing a second chassis configured to receive a printed wiring board, positioning the electrochemical cell between the first chassis and the second chassis and fastening the electrochemical cell to the second chassis via an adhesive.
For a better understanding of various examples of embodiments of the present invention reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings in which:
In the following description, the wording ‘connect’ and ‘couple’ and their derivatives mean operationally connected or coupled. It should be appreciated that any number or combination of intervening components can exist (including no intervening components).
The figures illustrate an apparatus 10 comprising: an electrochemical cell 20, 24, 28 and 44 defining an aperture 22, 26 and 42 therein, the aperture 22, 26, 42 being configured to receive one or more components of an electronic device therein.
In more detail,
The circuitry 12 may include any combination of components of the apparatus 10. For example, the circuitry 12 may include one or more processors, one or more memories, a display, an audio input device (a microphone for example), an audio output device (a loudspeaker for example), transceiver circuitry, one or more antennas and/or a user input device (a keypad or touch screen circuitry for example).
The electrical energy storage device 14 may be a single electrochemical cell or may include a plurality of electrochemical cells. The one or more electrochemical cells may include any combination of suitable cells and may include (but are not limited to) any combination of nickel cadmium cells, nickel metal hydride cells, lithium-ion cells for example. The electrical energy storage device 14 is configured to store electrical energy and to provide the stored electrical energy to at least some of the circuitry 12 of the apparatus 10.
The electrical energy storage device 14 includes any combination of one or more of the electrochemical cells illustrated in
The circuitry 12 and the electrical energy storage device 14 may be interconnected via the printed wiring board 16. The electrical energy storage device 14 may supply electrical energy to the circuitry 12 via conductive traces on the printed wiring board. In some embodiments, the circuitry 12 may include charging circuitry and the electrical energy storage device 14 may be configured to receive electrical energy from the charging circuitry to thereby charge.
The cover 18 defines at least part of the exterior visible surface of the apparatus 10 and is configured to at least partially house the circuitry 12, the electrical energy storage device 14 and the printed wiring board 16 therein. The cover 18 may comprise any suitable material and may comprise one or more metals and/or one or more polymers for example. The cover 18 may define one or more apertures in which circuitry (such as a display, a loudspeaker, a microphone, a user input device) may be positioned.
The aperture 22 may be a blind hole (that is, the aperture 22 may not extend all the way through the electrochemical cell 20 and light cannot pass through the aperture 22) or may be a through hole (that is, the aperture 22 may extend all the way through the electrochemical cell 20 and light may pass through the aperture 22). The aperture 22 is illustrated as having a square cross sectional shape in
The aperture 22 is configured to receive one or more components of an electronic device therein. For example, the aperture 22 may be shaped and dimensioned so that a camera may be snugly positioned within the aperture 22. By way of another example, the aperture 22 may be shaped and dimensioned so that an antenna and transceiver circuitry may be snugly positioned within the aperture 22.
It should be appreciated that the electrochemical cell 20 may include a plurality of apertures 22 and that each aperture 22 may be configured to receive a different component of the apparatus 10. For example, a first aperture may be configured to receive a camera, a second aperture may be configured to receive an antenna and radio frequency circuitry and a third aperture may be configured to receive a loudspeaker.
In more detail, the aperture 26 has a first side edge 261, a second side edge 262, a third side edge 263 and a fourth side edge 264. The first, second and third side edges 261, 262, 263 are enclosed by the electrochemical cell 24 and the fourth side edge 264 is open and is not enclosed by the electrochemical cell 24.
It should be appreciated that the aperture 26 may be open along any portion of its perimeter. For example, in one embodiment, the third side edge 263 and the fourth side edge 264 may be open and not enclosed by the electrochemical cell 24.
It should be appreciated that the aperture 26 may have any suitable shape that is configured to receive a component of the apparatus 10 and that any portion or portions of that shape may be open. In one embodiment, one or more side edges could be shaped to receive a component. For example, the side edge of a circular aperture may be shaped to form a screw thread so as to accept a component which has a corresponding thread. In one embodiment, the side edge may be slanted or wavy when viewed from a plane orthogonal to the plane shown in
It should be appreciated that the electrochemical cell 28 may include any number of layers and is not limited to the number of layers mentioned in this embodiment. For example, the electrochemical cell 28 may include any number of electrode and separator layers.
The electrochemical cell 28 defines an aperture 42 that extends through the first electrode 30, the first separator 32, the second electrode 34, the second separator 36 and the third electrode 38. The casing 40 extends into the aperture 42 and seals the first electrode 30, the first separator 32, the second electrode 34, the second separator 36 and the third electrode 38 from the outside world. As described above with reference to
The aperture 42 illustrated in
In order to manufacture the electrochemical cell 28, apertures are first formed in each of the first electrode 30, the first separator 32, the second electrode 34, the second separator 36 and the third electrode 38. The layers 30, 32, 34, 36, 38 are then positioned in the laminate structure illustrated in
The electrochemical cell 44 is different to the electrochemical cell 28 in that it includes a rolled layer 45 that includes (in laminate order) a first separator, an anode, a second separator and a cathode. The first separator, the anode, the second separator and the cathode are not separately illustrated in
In order to manufacture the electrochemical cell 44, the first separator, the anode, the second separator and the cathode of the layer 45 are placed on top of one another and are then rolled together. The rolled layer 45 may then be subjected to heat treatment so that the first separator, the anode, the second separator and the cathode of the layer 45 adhere to one another. The aperture 42 may then formed by cutting through the rolled layer 45. The casing 40 is then formed around the rolled layer 45 to seal it from the outside world. In other embodiments, the aperture 42 may be pre-formed in each of the first separator, the anode, the second separator and the cathode so that as they are rolled together, the apertures in layer line up with one another to form the aperture 42.
Various embodiments of the invention provide an advantage in that the electrochemical cell may enable the size of an electronic device to be reduced. Since one or more components of the electronic device may be positioned in the aperture defined by the electrochemical cell, the size of the electronic device may be smaller than an electronic device that includes a standard electrochemical cell. Where a component has a relatively large height (such as a camera or an antenna), placing the component in the aperture defined by the electrochemical cell may advantageously reduce the depth of the electronic device. For example, where the electronic device is a mobile cellular telephone, various embodiments of the invention may result in the mobile cellular telephone having a depth of approximately eight millimeters or less. If the camera were to be placed above (or below) a standard electrochemical cell (without an aperture) then the mechanical dimensions would be much greater in height (or thickness) than for the electrochemical cells described herein. Alternatively, if the camera were to be placed at the side of a standard electrochemical cell (without an aperture) then the mechanical dimensions would be much greater in width and/or length.
Various embodiments of the invention also provide an advantage in that they may enable a component of the electronic device to be positioned at any position in the electronic device because the aperture may be defined at any position within the electrochemical cell. Where a camera is positioned within the aperture of the electrochemical cell, the aperture and hence camera may be positioned at a position in the electronic device that is optimal for photography (for example, at a position where a user is unlikely to place his or her finger over a lens or a flash of the camera). Where an antenna is positioned within the electrochemical cell, the aperture and hence antenna may be positioned at a position in the electronic device that is optimal for radio frequency performance (for example, at a position where the antenna is more isolated from other components of the electronic device). Similarly, audio components, for example speakers or microphones may also be placed anywhere within the electrochemical cell, which may provide an optimal audio experience for a user of the electronic device.
The apparatus 10 has a laminate structure and includes (from the top of
In various embodiments, the printed wiring board 16 is an embedded flex (e-flex) and the electronic components of the apparatus 10 are mounted on a single side of the embedded flex. For example, the electronic components may be mounted on the side of the embedded flex 16 that faces the chassis 48. The embedded flex 16 may have the same or similar dimensions (when viewed in plan) as the display 46 and the/or the electrical energy storage device 14.
The apparatus 10 also includes a camera 54 that is mounted on the printed wiring board 16. The electrical energy storage device 14, the first chassis 48, the second chassis 50 and the cover 18 include apertures that are configured to receive the camera 54 therein. In some embodiments, the cover 18 may be made from a single piece of transparent material, such as glass or transparent polymer. Therefore there may not be a specific “window” for the lens in the cover 18 as the whole cover 18 will be optically useable.
The apparatus 10 illustrated in
The apparatus 10 has a laminate structure and includes (from the top of
The apparatus 10 illustrated in
The apparatus 10 illustrated in
The apparatus 10 illustrated in
In this embodiment, the apparatus 10 includes a second chassis 66 that is coupled to the first chassis 48 via fasteners 68 (such as screws) and fastens the printed wiring board 16 within the apparatus 10. The electrical energy storage device 14 is coupled to the second chassis 66 via adhesive.
In this embodiment, the apparatus 10 includes a second chassis 70 that is coupled to the first chassis 48 via fasteners 72 (such as screws) and fastens the printed wiring board 16 within the apparatus 10. The electrical energy storage device 14 is coupled to the second chassis 70 via adhesive and is sandwiched between the first chassis 48 and the second chassis 70.
At block 74, the method includes defining an aperture in an electrochemical cell. For example, where the electrochemical cell is a laminated structure as illustrated in
At block 76, the method includes providing further components of the apparatus 10. For example, the method may include providing any of the components illustrated in
At block 78, the method includes positioning the electrochemical cell relative to the further components of the apparatus 10. For example, the electrochemical cell may be positioned in any of the positions illustrated in
The blocks illustrated in the
Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. For example, an electrochemical cell according to various embodiments of the invention may be formed as illustrated in
The Cartesian co-ordinate system 82 includes an X axis 84, a Y axis 86 and a Z axis 88 that are orthogonal to one another.
The electrochemical cell 80 is generally planar and is oriented substantially parallel to the plane defined by the X axis 84 and the Y axis 86. The electrochemical cell 80 includes a first portion 801, a second portion 802 and a third portion 803. The first portion 801 is sandwiched between the second portion 802 and the third portion 803 and has a greater thickness (that is, the depth of the first portion 801 in the Z axis 88 is greater than the depth of the second and third portions 802, 803 in the Z axis). The second portion 802 defines an aperture 42 therein that forms a through hole.
The electrochemical cell 90 is a generally planar cuboid and is oriented substantially parallel to the plane defined by the X axis 84 and the Y axis 86. The electrochemical cell 90 has a top surface 92, a bottom surface 94, a first side edge 901, a second side edge 902, a third side edge 903 and a fourth side edge 904.
The electrochemical cell 90 defines a first aperture 421, a second aperture 422, a third aperture 423, and a fourth aperture 424, some or all of which are configured to receive one or more components of the apparatus 10. The first aperture 421 is located near the first side edge 901 and is a through hole. The second aperture 422 is located at the corner defined by the first side edge 901 and the second side edge 902 and is an open blind hole formed in the top surface 92. The third aperture 423 is located at the corner defined by the third side edge 903 and is an open blind hole formed in the top surface 92. The fourth aperture 424 is located at the corner defined by the second side edge 902 and the third side edge 903 and is an open blind hole formed in the bottom surface 94.
Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described.
Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not.
Although features have been described with reference to certain embodiments, those features may also be present in other embodiments whether described or not.
Whilst endeavoring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.
Saxe, Christian, Hansen, Martin Feilberg, Linden, Olle Henrik, Vistisen, Rasmus, Rajamaki, Markku Juhani
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Sep 13 2012 | SAXE, CHRISTIAN | Nokia Corporation | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 033136 | /0254 | |
Sep 13 2012 | LINDEN, OLLE HENRIK | Nokia Corporation | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 033136 | /0254 | |
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